Barbara Allen

Collected and transcribed by Mary Celestia Parler
Sung by Mrs. Hallie Griffin Conway, Arkansas July 27, 1958
Reel 293, Item 6
Barbara Allen
There were three maids, there were three maids There were three maids dwelling
The ______ one I called my own
And that was Barbara Allen.
Young man, recollect the other day When you were in town drinking,
You drank a toast to the ladies all But you slighted Barbara Allen.
He sent a servant to the town,
He sent him to her dwelling,
Saying, Master’s sick and sends for you If your name be Barbara Allen.
Then slowly slowly she rose up And to his bedside going And all she said wherever she stood Was Young man, I fear you're dying.
Oh, yes, you're sick, and very sick,
And death is on you dwelling
No better, no better, you ever shall be,
Cried cruel Barbara Allen.
He turned his pale face to the wall And burst out crying Saying, Adieu, adieu to one and all Be kind to Barbara Allen.
As she was walking up the streets She heard the bells tolling,
And every word they seemed to say Was Cruel Barbara Allen.
(Cont'd)Barbara Allen Reel 298, Item 6 Continued
She turned to the east, then looked to the west,
And saw those cold corpse coming,
Sit down, sit down, this mournful corpse And let me look upon it.
Sit down, sit down this mournful corpse And let me look upon it,
For I could hare saved this young man's life If I had but said that I love him.
Sweet William died on a Friday night Miss Barbara died on Saturday The old woman died for love of both She died on Easter Sunday.

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Collected and transcribed by Mary Celestia Parler
Sung by Mrs. Hallie Griffin Conway, Arkansas July 27, 1958
Reel 293, Item 6
Barbara Allen
There were three maids, there were three maids There were three maids dwelling
The ______ one I called my own
And that was Barbara Allen.
Young man, recollect the other day When you were in town drinking,
You drank a toast to the ladies all But you slighted Barbara Allen.
He sent a servant to the town,
He sent him to her dwelling,
Saying, Master’s sick and sends for you If your name be Barbara Allen.
Then slowly slowly she rose up And to his bedside going And all she said wherever she stood Was Young man, I fear you're dying.
Oh, yes, you're sick, and very sick,
And death is on you dwelling
No better, no better, you ever shall be,
Cried cruel Barbara Allen.
He turned his pale face to the wall And burst out crying Saying, Adieu, adieu to one and all Be kind to Barbara Allen.
As she was walking up the streets She heard the bells tolling,
And every word they seemed to say Was Cruel Barbara Allen.
(Cont'd)Barbara Allen Reel 298, Item 6 Continued
She turned to the east, then looked to the west,
And saw those cold corpse coming,
Sit down, sit down, this mournful corpse And let me look upon it.
Sit down, sit down this mournful corpse And let me look upon it,
For I could hare saved this young man's life If I had but said that I love him.
Sweet William died on a Friday night Miss Barbara died on Saturday The old woman died for love of both She died on Easter Sunday.